Category Entertainment News

When her 2-year-old son Presley was informed of his life-threatening heart condition, Jessica Wright recalls not being able to move and felt like the world had “ended.”

Jessica Wright and her husband William Lee-Kemp felt like the stars had aligned when they became parents to their beautiful baby boy Presley in May 2022, with Jessica describing her newborn as “everything and more”. Sadly, their joy turned to heartache less than two years later when they discovered that Presley was suffering from a rare heart condition which will require him to undergo open heart surgery.

“The world just stopped moving for me,” says Jessica, recalling the devastating moment she was told Presley has a Bicuspid Aortic Valve, a congenital heart disease which affects one per cent of people. Sitting down for an exclusive interview with OK! – just days ahead of hosting her first Have A Heart Gala, to raise money for children’s cardiac and respiratory care charity The Brompton Fountain – it’s clear the last 12 months have taken their toll.

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“It’s been tough”, she says, before talking us through Presley’s devastating diagnosis. We took him for a routine appointment just before his second birthday when the doctors discovered a heart murmur. They said it was likely to be nothing to worry about, and common in a lot of children, but to get it checked anyway”.

Their worst fears were confirmed about a month later, Jessica continues with a follow-up appointment. “We just sat there and you could see from the doctor’s face that he was about to tell us something really big and life-changing.

The words “open heart surgery” came out of his mouth after I “just dreaded what was going to come out of his mouth.” It was extremely tough and something that we’re still taking our time to get over and used to – I’m not sure we ever will. I can’t help but think, “I’m going to fall on the floor,” as I recall thinking as I sat between my mother and my husband. I couldn’t even kind of hold myself up. “

The thought of open heart surgery is every parent’s worst nightmare, and something Jessica, 39, admits is still tough for her to talk about. Doctors have informed the family that replacement valves for Presley’s heart will be necessary, but Jessica says it’s a waiting game to find out when the procedure will be.

Presley’s condition, a Bicuspid Aortic Valve, means that his aortic valve, which regulates blood flow, has only two leaflets instead of the three regular hearts have. Untreated, it can result in complications like heart failure and infections.

” It’s a case of waiting until the point where we know that his heart valves need to be replaced, “says Jessica”. In essence, it can occur at any time.

“We’ve been told that we’ll be lucky if he gets to the age of 10 without needing it, which was the biggest blow for us, because some people can get to their 50s and not have one until then. But because of where his heart is right now, Presley needs it more quickly, she says, grinning with a heavy sigh.

This news means that the family are constantly on edge, something which Jessica says has caused her to panic at the first sign of illness in Presley, who turns three next month. We must hope and pray that his upcoming tenth birthday is closer to his current age because if it comes sooner, he will need to have it re-implanted a few years later. If it’s later, the replacement can last longer because they can put one in that’s big enough”. Every fever he gets, every breath he takes wrong, whatever it may be, you panic, Jessica continues. But it is what it is”.

Presley is currently receiving checks every 12 weeks that include an ECG and scans of his heart to make sure he doesn’t need surgery. “We supply him with lollipops or a dairy-free cupcake during it”, laughs Jessica, as she discusses her attempts to distract Presley during the appointments. “

She acknowledges that it’s still difficult, even though the family is now used to regular medical visits. He doesn’t love it, but it’s almost like he gets it now. Every time we travel, we just apologise to God and pray that our doctor will say, “At the moment, we’re all okay.” I wish I could take it away from him and for me to have it instead. But he is a strong infant.

Echoing Jessica’s sentiments, William says”, The week before we go for the check up is when we start worrying, then after the check up, we can breathe again and it’s a relief that everything is OK. Then it’s like back to the beginning before the next appointment, so it’s a constant worry up and down. “

When Jessica and businessman William tied the knot in a stunning ceremony in Mallorca in 2021, they had no idea what awaited them as parents. But as we chat, the TV star praises William for his constant support.

We truly support one another. I definitely break down a lot more than Will, but I feel like that’s because women generally tend to be slightly more emotional. Both of us have suffered a lot as a result. To be honest, we can barely say the words out loud without… I’m not sure. We don’t really like talking about it, but then sometimes I just feel like I have to and it’s like the elephant in the room. After a brief pause, she admits, “We’re still coming to terms with it.”

William, who Jessica describes as the ‘ best daddy ‘ to Presley, confirms”, We really lean on each other and support each other, of course we do. “

Presley is a complete “showman,” according to Jessica, which comes as no surprise given his famous family.

” He’s just the most incredible little boy and he’s got so much character, “beams Jessica”. He continues to act in the funny ways that he does. He is truly, really funny. He’s a complete actor, he’s definitely gonna be on the stage, I think. He’s up there grabbing the microphone and playing some music and performing a show. Presley is a really sweet boy as well, very sensitive, very caring and just sweet. “

Would Jessica and William be willing to have any more children if they were obviously loving parents? Possibly. Although this has been a difficult road so far, “she says” might be true.

In the meantime, Presley has plenty of cousins to play with in Jessica’s tight-knit family. Jessica’s younger brother, Ebbsfleet United footballer Josh also has two sons; Josh. Jr and Dustin. While her brother Mark and his wife Michelle Keegan welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Palma, in March.

” Presley is so close to his cousins Josh and Dustin, and, obviously, now we’ve got Palma who is going to fit right in. She is adorable! They all absolutely love spending time with each other and Palma is an angel. She is sweet, beautiful, and adorable. The boys love her and are very gentle with her, “says Jessica, adding that she was” excited “to become an auntie again.

And has she been there to counsel parents like Michelle and Mark? Assuring us he’s a natural, she says”, It’s lovely seeing]Mark and Michelle] as parents, I knew they would be incredible parents and they are. There is always room for improvement when you have babies because we’re always with each other regardless and we tell each other little things. It’s all such new territory. “

It should come as no surprise that many members of the Wright clan, including her parents Carol and “Big” Mark and her younger sister Natalya, attended Jessica and William’s Have A Heart gala last Thursday night.

And showing it’s not only been an emotional time for Jessica, but for the whole family, brother Mark got teary as he took to the stage to give a heartfelt speech. After watching a short film about the work The Brompton Fountain do, Presley appeared in, Mark was understandably moved.

” When it’s that close to home, it just…sorry, it just hurts, “said Mark as he struggled to get through the sentence”. My sister is a remarkable woman, despite the fact that I don’t tell her frequently. I am biased, of course, but I think we can all agree that her and her husband Will’s strength, honesty and the love they show their son is nothing short of remarkable.

The new dad turned his back on the stage to keep the emotions at bay, with his wife Michelle cheering him as he continued, “And to my nephew, you’re the bravest little boy I know.”

Explaining the inspiration behind the event at The Savoy hotel in London, which saw famous faces including Gemma Collins, Pete Wicks and Vicky Pattison in attendance, Jessica says, “The minute that we found out about Presley’s heart condition, I wanted to do something to help the charity that supports the hospital that he’s at.”

She continued, “It just felt right for me to use my platform as much as I can and do everything I can because The Brompton Fountain is a really, really small charity.” This kind of event is really impactful and it raises awareness, it’s something we want to do every year”.

Pete Wicks tells us during the gala that he couldn’t be prouder of his former co-star and friend that Jessica has a lot of support behind her. “What Jess is doing tonight is amazing and what she’s doing for this charity is amazing. We’ve known each other for more than ten years, which is a long time! But she’s one of the good ones, I always knew she’d be an amazing mum, even before she had Presley”.

Alongside Pete sat James Argent, who has been a longtime friend of the family and said he ‘wouldn’t miss’ the event for the world. While Britain’s Got Talent star Sydnie Christmas, who gave a stunning performance, said she was ‘honoured’ to be invited along by Jessica.

Jessica, who looked stunning in a white gown in a white gown, delivered an emotional and heartfelt speech in the middle of all the glamour of the evening, which was only covered by OK!

“It’s a lot of pressure – I’ve never done something like this before apart from my wedding, and we actually had 100 fewer people at our wedding! Talking about something that is so important to us will be very difficult because it is so personal. But I want to get the message across and do the best I can for the evening”.

Jessica addressed the audience beautifully and thanked the charity for their unwavering support, giving special thanks to Trudy Nickels, The Brompton Fountain’s CEO.

Despite it being a tough topic to talk about so openly, Jessica says her goal is to keep raising awareness of the condition and to the charities who can support families.

She claims that being open about Presley’s health has prevented her mind from spiraling, saying, “When we found out, I was almost desperate to talk about it on social media because I wanted to know how common this is and how we were going to get through it. But I needed to come to terms with it in my head before I did that because I knew it’d be very overwhelming.

“But then I did reach out, and I believe it was about three months after his diagnosis, and I was shocked at how quickly things turned out. I’ve had thousands and thousands of messages about it from warrior parents welcoming me to the heart community and sending me messages of support and hearing about children who have been through it at a lot younger age than Presley. It has been incredible.

When I started realising it was something that does happen to other people it makes you feel like you’re not alone. I was reminded that if I pity God, he will be fine in the end.

See www.thebromptonfountain.org.uk for more.

We asked the experts to explain the three essentials you should never skip with the seemingly endless array of skincare products currently available.

The skincare adage was once “cleanse, tone, and moisturise.” In the beauty aisles, shoppers are now confronted with a wide range of serums, essences, lotions, creams, mists, and masks, which makes it difficult to know what to really use and how to use them.

More is not always better, either. Overuse of too many products can make your skin more susceptible to aggravating it rather than repairing it or even causing conditions like perioral dermatitis. Additionally, lengthy skincare regimens can be time-consuming, expensive, and even obsessive.

We asked the experts for their skincare essentials and how to add them to help debunk the shelves. Additionally, we offer some tried-and-true recommendations from our team…

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the fundamentals

If you want to see real skin changes, experts are in agreement on the essential skincare non-negotiables: a cleanser, SPF during the day, and retinoids at night. According to Dr. Ahmed El Muntasar, NHS GP, cosmetic dermatologist, and founder of The Aesthetics Doctor clinics, “these pillars are essentials for a solid skincare routine.”

Cleanser

A good cleanser is essential to leave behind impurities, oil, and dirt, Dr. Ahmed says. This will give you a clean foundation for your daily routine. Find one that suits your skin type and budget. Oilier skin may prefer a gel or foaming cleanser while those with dry skin might prefer a cream or milky cleanser.

Not always necessary, double cleaning is. Dermatologist Emma Coleman, who founded and runs Emma Coleman Skin Clinics, says, “I find it a little overkill, especially if you have skin issues, because it might potentially damage your microbiome.”

Use it when: A few drops of water may be sufficient for your skin in the morning, but use it as a cleanser only in the evening.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, £1.50, is what we adore.

Sunscreen

Regardless of skin type, “SPF is a non-negotiable step during the day to protect against UV damage and premature ageing,” says Dr. Ahmed. Skin-friendly sunscreens are typically more appealing and feel-good on the skin, whereas those with sensitive skin should try mineral sunscreens.

Use it whenever, year-round, every morning.

We adore La Roche-Posay UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+, which cost $20 and is now costing $116.

Retinoids

Retinoids are vitamin A’s derivatives, and they promote cell turnover. They are frequently referred to as the “retinol” umbrella. They are referred to as “the gold standard of anti-ageing,” and for good reason. Retinol has a beneficial effect on all skin types, aside from if you’re very sensitive, such as reducing acne, pigmentation, and texture, Emma says.

Use it at night or on clean skin. Introduce it gradually into your routine to allow your skin to adjust, starting with a low concentration of 1%.

Starting at just £45, we adore: Medik8 Crystal Retinal.

Extras

Eye cream

Add if… You have concerns about the eye area, whether it’s fine lines, puffiness, or dark circles.

Although “they won’t work miracles,” Emma asserts that the majority of people can benefit from using eye cream. I like products with antioxidants like vitamin C or flavonoids, and they have lines and wrinkles that are treated with retinol.

Use it in the morning and at night, and then follow the cleansing process.

We adore the REN Clean Skincare Radiance Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream, which cost $49 before it changed to $39 today.

Essence

Add if you need a lightweight layer of hydration for dehydrated skin.

According to Dr. Ahmed, “Essences are lightweight fluids that can provide an additional layer of moisture and nourishment,” according to Dr. Ahmed. Not everyone needs them, though, said the statement. A serum could be replaced with an essence.

When should it be used: Before or after a serum, before a moisturiser, and before a cleanser.

We love: Curél Hydrating Water Essence, £17.50.

moisturizer or serum

Add if… More hydration is required from the foundation than it is currently receiving.

If not, “ahydrating and repairing serum, such as one containing niacinamide or hyaluronic acid, helps to nourish and strengthen the skin barrier,” says Dr. Ahmed. You may find that your sunscreen and retinol products are sufficient moisturisers.

When should I use it: After cleansing and applying active ingredients.

The £15.00 INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum is what we adore.

Exfoliator

Add if: You have blackheads, signs of ageing, or pigmentation, or congestion.

According to Dr. Ahmed, “chemical exfoliators (acids) break down the bonds between skin cells and help lift them off,” while physical exfoliators (scrubs) slough off dead skin cells. Everyone should exfoliate as we get older, because the skin’s renewal process slows down. Exfoliating with care is crucial.

Use it once or twice per week in the evenings.

The Gentle Acid, priced at $49, is a favorite of ours.

Masks for the face

Add this if you need a quick boost in hydration, glow, or self-care.

Masks for the face come in many forms nowadays: cream, charcoal, sheet, peel-off… “While they can provide temporary results, I’m sceptical about their lasting impact,” says Dr Ahmed. “That said, if you enjoy using them, there’s no harm in incorporating them into your routine. Masks contain exfoliating acids can offer more noticeable results.”

When to use: Every other week, before a special occasion.

We adore the £4.99. Garnier Hyaluronic Cryo Jelly Anti-Fatigue Sheet Mask

Holly Willoughby simply wants to get over the ordeal and put it behind her as a new TV documentary about the kidnapping and murder plot is set to air, according to a source.

The terrifying kidnap and murder plan devised by Essex security guard Gavin Plumb that “changed Holly Willoughby ’s life forever” is laid bare in a new TV documentary. However, a source says the mum-of-three is determined not to let it traumatise her all over again.

The Plot To Kill Holly Willoughby is due to air next week on 5, just ahead of the second anniversary of the implosion of her and This Morning co-presenter Phillip Schofield ’s 14-year reign as daytime TV’s golden couple. According to our source, Holly, 44, just wants to put the ordeal behind her and focus on the wellbeing of herself and her loved ones.

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“She’s a very strong woman. As far as she’s concerned, it happened, it’s in the past, and she wants to get on with her life and move on,” they claimed. “In an ideal world it would be something that’s never spoken about again, but Holly knows that’s not going to happen, so she’ll just ride it out. She’s haunted by the past but she won’t be retraumatised by it. She feels the same about the whole Phillip Schofield thing at This Morning – it happened, it’s over, move on.”

According to the documentary’s synopsis, Holly’s life was forever changed when she learned of the plan just before she was scheduled to start airing. She withdrew from public life while the police pursued her case against Plumb, having had little other options but to put her glittering career on hold.

Could Plumb’s revolting plan have ever come to pass? He couldn’t walk even for a short distance because he was housebound, morbidly obese, and unable to walk even short distances. He devoted years searching for a partner to help him make his obsession a reality. Was Plumb merely guilty of a warped imagination or a dangerous predatory stalker?

Plumb assembled what the Crown Prosecution Service called his kidnap kit after years of researching Holly’s personal life. Leg shackles, handcuffs, pocket knives, 400 metal cable ties, and chloroform bottles were included in the horrifying haul.

Plumb, who already had kidnapping and false imprisonment convictions, attempted to persuade people he had met online to work with him in his plan to enter her home before incapitating her with chloroform and kidnapping her. He was found guilty of arranging for the killing and rape in July of that year, and he was given a life sentence with a maximum sentence of 16 years before being eligible for parole.

Holly waived her right to anonymity and had complete control over how the TV show’s response turned out, according to Stefan Walters, a psychologist with a focus on trauma and brainspotting therapy. He says that it may reveal various stories to the public and provoke responses, but I hope it’s a part of her recovery, “he says.” Watching a replay of a trauma can be challenging because it can feel a little like replaying it, but in reality, it can be an outlet for exposure therapy.

The less we are activated the more we can expose ourselves to it and grow resilient to it. I’d like to see Holly, who has engaged in her own therapy and trauma work, and who feels in charge of the narrative. That is extremely crucial.

Stefan claims that Holly may experience an unconscious reactivated trauma as Phillip’s anniversary approaches. Our bodies and our subconscious minds are unquestionably capable of reactivating trauma in this way, and birthdays can do that as well. It’s possible that someone has a dream about someone or awakens feeling depressed, only to discover it’s 10 years later.

Holly said, “You have a decision to make when something like that happens, when it happens, and it’s been a while.” She also made a statement about her life since the court case earlier this year. You can either decide to accept that this has an impact on every aspect of my life, or you can. Or I can make the decision to leave and concentrate on all those positive and positive things.

She recently presented Netflix ’s Celebrity Bear Hunt alongside Bear Grylls, and our source says the star is now looking forward and not back.

“She was presenting one of the biggest morning TV shows without a real care in the world two years ago, but things have changed a lot for her,” she said.

“But Holly is determined and strong, for sure, and she’ll be concentrating on what she wants, not what she’s lost,” she said.

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The London Marathon is back for another year as a crowded crowd of runners descend on the city’s streets to participate in the gruesome event, which has produced plenty of celebrity drama over the years.

The grueling 26.2-mile course of the London Marathon is ready for another group of 40 000 swarms of swarms of city residents. The iconic race will of course feature famous faces in the numbers.

Celebrities typically rise to the occasion to raise thousands of dollars for charity and display their impressive medals at the finish line.

Not all race-going public figures, however, have had the same sort of success. Some have even admitted to cheating, leading to a lot of drama and scandal along the way.

We examine the biggest scandals that have occurred at the sporting event over the course of its 44-year history…

The “water-gate” of Mo Farah

In front of awaiting cameras in 2018, Sir Mo Farah made a terrible error.

On a scorching day in the capital, the Olympic hero attempted to quench his thirst by picking up a fellow competitor’s water bottle. Mo realized his error and ran back, wasting valuable time on his own drink.

The champion then became enraged and frustrated as he continued to make the same error later in the course.

The volunteers then exchange powerful words with Mo. After the race, Mo stated, “I know they were really helpful toward the end, but at first someone was trying to take pictures, but after 15k I found it ok.

I just instructed the safety stewards to appoint a little more helpful staff members, please. They were doing that at the end to stop taking pictures and perhaps point at my drink.

“My drink and the other runners’ drinks both had identical looks.” I was not wasting my energy. I needed a drink, so I had to get that right otherwise I would have been done.

Jade Goody’s training plan was fueled by alcohol and curry.

In preparation for the London Marathon many runners adapt their lifestyles to include gruelling fitness plans, a strict diet and cut out alcohol completely, but Big Brother legend Jade Goody had a different approach in the lead up to the long-distance running event.

The late mother-of-two’s place in pop culture history was established in 2006 when she “got bored” with her London Marathon training, only finishing four practice sessions before the big day, and failing to pass the 26.2-mile course’s finish line.

When Jade attempted to complete the marathon in order to raise money for children’s charity the NSPCC, she was later criticized by critics who at the time demanded medical attention.

The late reality TV star admitted to “consuming curry, Chinese, and drinking” just days before the race, prompting a spokeswoman to reveal that the mum-of-two had no previous records after she completed the 18.5″ (30km) mark in 4 hours and 37 minutes.

The Guardian reported that around the 18.5 mile mark, Jade “turned blue” and yelled “I’m dying” to paramedics, but the late star, who passed away from cervical cancer in 2009, later claimed she managed to run 21 miles before slinging the end.

Jade remarked, “I’ve never worked so hard in my life.”

As she recovered at her Essex mansion afterward, she said, “I felt like I was dying,” adding that the £355 sponsorship money she raised would go to her nominated charity, the NSPCC.

Not too bad of a work, given Jade didn’t manage to run a marathon, but 18. 5 miles is still well over the total distance of well-known half-marathons like The Great North Run!

Katie Price switches to a more traditional outfit and then the race.

The former glamour model strapped her lungs to her back for her second time during the 2018 London Marathon. In honor of her mother, Kate was supporting the British Lung Foundation.

The glamour model quit just 15 kilometers in with her plastic lungs, which were later discovered abandoned by the side of the road, despite making an impressive appearance.

An onlooker said: “I was out for a run and came across Katie’s outfit. It seems the copper that was carrying them taken them to a safe place for Katie. But now they’re lying in the street. It’s possible someone took them as a souvenir but couldn’t carry them because they’re really heavy.

They’ll probably be crushed up in one of the council’s lorries before the afternoon is out because it’s bin day in the area as well. It’s really unfortunate.

Reality TV “cheats.”

Although the London Marathon is a fun event, cheating accusations are made year after year, with some celebrities getting sucked into claims they didn’t cut a few corners when crossing the finish line.

The sister of TOWIE star James ‘Arg’ Argent raised eyebrows in 2016 when she managed run 20k in just 39 minutes – over 10 minutes faster than the then-current world record of 55:21km held by male athlete Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea.

After recording the suspect hours, race officials at the time confirmed Natasha was being looked into. Later, the reality TV star’s sibling explained how a panic attack had caused her to retake the course.

She told OK! “People were cheering on me and I felt like I didn’t deserve the cheers.” magazine in 2016″. It was terrible all around. If I’ve caused any harm, I’m so sorry.

Natasha will return her finisher medal, according to the London Marathon organizers.

In 2019, former Love Island star Georgia Harrison impressively ran the London Marathon in exactly four hours – going on to admit after the race she hadn’t done much training and had been partying just days before she put her running shoes on for the gruelling challenge.

While many fans praised the reality TV star for her incredible accomplishments, some accused her of cheating, leading the reality TV star to refute the accusations.

A Georgia representative told OK! “To say that Georgia cheated is absolutely ridiculous is ridiculous. at the time in magazines. She did some training when she had the time, but all she wanted was a very strong-willed young woman.

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The “glam” ceramic lamp, which resembles a luxury model, is praised by B&amp, M customers.

A much more expensive product is being offered by B&amp, M. There might be a new favorite in stock, but the store is well known for its affordable items in the categories of homeware, food, cleaning supplies, and more.

The bargain retailer is currently stocking the Ribbed Ceramic Table Lamp, which similar to luxury brand Laura Ashley. B&M took to TikTok to share the product.

The video showed the £20 M version of the product from B&amp. And for only £20, the post was titled. a bargain lamp for a more neutral aesthetic.

“Guys look what I spotted in B&amp, M,” was the text to the video’s title! More than 53k views, hundreds of likes, and a few comments from contented customers were provided.

One person wrote, “Lovely,” beneath the post, and the other, “So glam,” respectively. Another customer commented, “I have that lamp, it’s a good bargain.”

B&M’s Ribbed Ceramic Table Lamp looks very similar to the Laura Ashley Pacific White Ionic Textured Ceramic And Gold Metal Table Lamp. They both feature very similar designs, with almost matching ribbed ceramic bases, gold tone hardware and pale shades.

There are also a few minor differences, though. The base of the lamp is adorned with an additional gold section, which B&amp, M does not have.

Add some style to your home with this gorgeous Ribbed Ceramic Table Lamp, says B&amp, M’s product description. Ideal for adding some fashionable lighting to a desk or table at home.

The luxury version costs £70 while the B&amp, M lamp costs £20. By choosing the product’s bargain variant, customers can save £50.

While you can’t purchase the lamp on B&M’s website, shoppers can find their nearest local store. Use the tool here.